Ride # 5 at MitM this August is the Independence Pass run. This ride is about 65 miles up, 65 miles back. Or, you can take the full loop and do the Aspen / Glenwood Springs Loop, Ride #6.

This ride leave Copper Mountain Resort and heads up to and thru historic Leadville, CO. Continuing on, you head towards Buena Vista but turn west and instead go up Independence Pass. Above treeline, this is artic tundra area at over 12,095 feet. Enjoy the pictures and the weather there (bring plenty of layers to CO, even in the summer).

1 Mountain Pass, 1 historic mining town, and 1 ski resort....

JPS

 

Just opened for the 2006 season on May 26th, the drive over Independence Pass was bright and clear. The highway is narrow in spots and may or may not have guardrails. Vehicles over 35 ft in length are not allowed on this pass. The summit parking lot still has about 6 inches of rapidly melting snow. Even in the summer, there may be snow nearby to replenish your cooler.

See my photos at: http://coloradorick.smugmug.com/gallery/1499878

Rick

 

Drove to Denver and back over the pass yesterday (to see Mr. Webb, of course) and took these pics. Just a little taste of the Pass, it's incredible.
I left at 6am and had the road to myself....mmmm twisty, if you only did one drive on for MITM, you couldn't go wrong with this one.

 

Isn't it beautiful? I recognize the first photo location as the east side of the pass, already part way down it (not even looking from the top). The snow is rapidly melting, but there will be patches here and there, even in August -- enough to replenish the cooler. Thanks for sharing!
Rick

 

Beautiful pictures, especially by the lake!

--Dianne, using Kendall's account